By Alan Hutton

14th Sep, 2023 | 11:00am

Rangers expert: Michael Beale has 'big' Kieran Dowell concern after confirmed news

Kieran Dowell has failed to live up to expectations at Rangers.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Gers defender Alan Hutton said Michael Beale will be concerned that Dowell is not meeting the necessary standard following his summer arrival from Norwich.

The Light Blues confirmed (12 September) their 25-man squad for the upcoming Europa League group stages.

Dowell and the returning Leon Balogun are the only new arrivals left out of the team that will face Real Betis, Sparta Prague and Aris Limassol.

Dowell, 25, has made six appearances for the Gers so far this term but has been in the starting lineup for two of those outings.

The midfielder also netted his first goal for the club in last month’s 4-0 win over Livingston.

When asked if he was surprised by Dowell’s absence from the squad, Hutton told Football Insider: “I suppose I am a little bit surprised.

“He was obviously Michael Beale’s signing, we were expecting big things and it has been up and down. I know he has a niggly injury so that could be a factor in why he is not in the European squad.

“Of course it is a concern when you bring a player in you want them to make the squad stronger but the manager feels for whatever reason that he is not, whether it be injury or not playing to the standard.

“If you are brought in as a new signing you want to be playing in these big matches.“

In other news, Kieran Maguire drops ‘£29m’ double-your-money Rangers claim after big development